How to Submit Your Lousy Designs to Made by Monkeys

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4 Comments

Is it a fault, good question? Other RCDs don’t appear to do this and tripping an upstream RCD would seem like a fault. One advantage of the way the test was implemented was that it tested the integrity of the earth.
Of course the test loop could have been made with multiple passes, lowering the test current below the threshold of an upstream RCD while still generating sufficient imbalance to trip itself.

I don’t have the full details yet but I’ve just found evidence of an annoying design fault in an RCD protected mains socket. We’ve recently had the house fusebox replaced, with the result that the ringmain is now protected by a RCD. Guess what, pressing the TEST button on the socket causes the central RCD to trip. Does this mean they ACTUALLY put the test resistor and switch between LIVE and EARTH instead of merely simulating a fault by putting the test between…say…live out and neutral in?

J. Hosking

August 12, 2008 19:42

Hi: Sorry I couldn’t send a photo, but stench doesn’t photograph very well.
My KitchenAid refrigerator quit cooling while I was on a 3 week vacation. Model #KSRG22FKWH01. It seems that the relay switch ( a small cheaply made piece of plastic junk that was made in Mexico #4SP1101221219330 K01R) was the problem. I now am stuck with a less than 7 year old refrigerator originally costing me $1400.00, that can never be used again due to the horrendous stench caused by the completely thawed meat in the freezer. It smells so bad that the unit had to be placed outside on the patio immediately and can never be brought back into the house. We used at least 6 different products to clean the interior, ( and even removed panels) but the smell is still overwhelming and will not go away. We can’t open any of the house windows that are near the patio due to the STENCH. Obviously, if you own a KitchenAid or any other brands from that company, It is best to never go away on vacation, (or if you do, remove every bit of food from the freezer ) because there is NOTHING that KitchenAid will do to compensate you for what is now a worthless refrigerator that still looks new. I won’t go into the maggot and fly problem throughout my home that arose due to the cheaply made relay that went out, because it turns my stomach to think about it. There was similarity between our home and the movie “Amityville Horror” when we arrived home from vacation. It wasn’t a pretty sight. It’s time for the U.S. to go back to making their own products. I’d be happy to pay more for a quality product.
Thanks,
Judy